Carmanian

Official Number 95406

The Carmanian was a steel barque built by R.Williamson & Son at Workington, launched on Monday, 19th April 1897. She was operated by her builders until 1903, when she was sold to E.F.&W.Roberts, also of Workington. In 1910 the Carmanian was sold to Norwegian owners and was registered at Stavanger, retaining her name.

The Carmanian was lost during the First World War, on passage from Buenos Aires (departed 18th February, 1916) to Queenstown with a wheat cargo. The barque was sunk by gunfire from a German submarine 55 miles off the West coast of Ireland on Tuesday, 25th April 1916. The crew abandoned ship in two boats, one of which capsized, drowning all aboard. The other, containing the master and nine men, reached the Dingle peninsula in Ireland and the men were rescued by cliff ladders. Some of the rescuers were later commended by the King of Norway.

Sources :

1. "Shipbuilding at Workington - a Checklist" by Harry Fancy, pub. Whitehaven Museum (1985).
2.  Launch announced in the Whitehaven Gazette, Thursday, 22nd April, 1897.
3. Official Number from Miramar Ship Index.
   
4. Submarine attack reported in the Times newspaper, Thursday 27th April 1916, page 3 and Friday 28th April 1916, page 3 - states that the vessel was sunk by gunfire, two men were drowned and ten men reached the Irish coast.
   
5. The Times newspaper, Thursday, 30th May 1918, page 3 - states that eight men were rescued at Ballinabuck in April 1916, and that a piece of plate was awarded by the King of Norway to the Rev.Thomas Jones, of Ballyferriter, Co.Kerry,  and £3 each was given by the King to Patrick Connor, Patrick Lynch and Patrick James Connor, all for their assistance in the rescue of the crew of the Carmanian.
   
6. Norsk Skipsfartshistorisk Selskap (Norwegian Shipping History Society) - states that the vessel was sunk by U19, and that 3 men died. Position given as 50.16N, 12.02 W.